JOE THE RED

Talk of talented teenagers at Old Trafford at the moment rarely takes a side-step from the names Rooney and Ronaldo.

But, elsewhere at the club, another teen has been quietly enhancing his reputation as a potential star of the future. Three goals in two Under 18 matches and a fantastic individual effort for the Reserves for summer recruit Giuseppe Rossi have really caught the eye.

The dimunitive 17-year-old, an American-born midfielder procured from Serie A club Parma, is a skilful player with a knack for scoring goals.

Arthur Albiston believes that Rossi, whose name literally translates as "Joe the Red", could be pushing for a place in the first team by the end of this season.

"He is a box of tricks, a real bundle of energy," said Albiston.

"He doesn't look the tallest player, but he has a low centre of gravity and great control with both feet. When you have that low centre of gravity, you can get away from people quite quickly. He looks an exciting prospect. The goal he scored for the reserves; the defenders didn't know what to do - he teased them in and finished it like Ole Solskjaer.”